Even though sensors based on electromagnetic principles often appear to be simple devices, they can pose challenging analysis problems. This paper will provide guidelines to aid in the proper selection and application of electromagnetic CAE software for simulating and optimizing sensor systems. Example electric, magnetic and eddy current simulations will be used for illustration. In particular, this paper will discuss the approximations and simplifications that are often required to produce practical engineering models.

Accuracy Analysis of Charged Particle Trajectory CAE Software

Though there exists extensive literature on the subject of charged particle beam analysis, most often only the simplest of geometries can be treated analytically. Advances in numerical solutions of both ordinary and partial differential equations have led to the development of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) software packages that permit the simulation of more complex systems that include “real world” deviations that inevitably occur.

Since accuracy of simulation results is fundamental for the selection of beam analysis software, this paper will use that criterion to examine the most popular numerical methods and illustrate techniques for evaluating their suitability.

Electromagnetic induction heating occurs in electrically conducting materials when they are present in time varying magnetic fields. This phenomenon is utilized in a wide range of industrial applications.

This paper will illustrate examples of coupled electromagnetic/thermal field simulations for both steady-state and transient conditions.

Modern CAE software allows engineers to investigate a multitude of design variations that could not possibly be considered using conventional physical prototypes.

In this paper we will first illustrate parametric methods for automatically creating virtual prototypes of electromechanical actuators (in our case simple electromagnetic solenoids) using the AMPERES and MAGNETO programs from INTEGRATED Engineering Software. We will then use a specific case study to show how the Tecplot Chorus program can assist in determining optimal design choices.

Automated Design Testing Procedures using Software Simulation Tools

As simulation software has become widespread, there are some common complaints from designers willing to optimize the way they use the software. Many complain about how time intensive the simulation can be for the user, even for repetitive aspects of the work. In the process of simulation related to design there will typically be a number of model variations to be tried, and time is also required to analyze all desired iterations of a design, in order to decide which one is optimal.

This white paper will explain and provide examples of two common methods for automating some aspects of the design process: parametrics and scripting.

Beam Spot Size as a Function of Excitation Levels of Magnetic Quadrupoles

This paper will present an overview of the focusing properties of magnetic quadrupoles and show how beam spot size can be visualized using arc segment emitters. We will also show how parametric variation of the excitation current can be used to determine the optimum level for minimum spot size at points along the beam axis. Some other concepts discussed in this white paper:

Rays launching from the perimeter of an emitter surface provide a fast efficient method of computing spot size.

Parametric variation of magnet excitation to determine the optimal level for obtaining minimum spot size at points along the beam axis.